Saying no in Japanese is a tricky subject. The people in Japan will rarely give a direct “no” as an answer, preferring instead to give an indirect answer that conveys the message of no.
Giving someone a direct no is too disruptive in a society that values keeping the harmony at all costs. As a result, the Japanese will usually choose their words carefully, especially in business-related situations.<\/p>\n
The exact word for no in Japanese is “\u3044\u3044\u3048 (iie)”, but the Japanese actually use a wide range of expressions to avoid having to use a strong no. <\/p>\n The first group of expressions is easy to understand. \u3080\u308a, \u30c0\u30e1 and \u3067\u304d\u306a\u3044 are typically used by friends and close colleagues. \u3080\u308a literally means something is impossible based upon the circumstances. The expressions of group II can be used in business situations. When a Japanese person replies in English in response to a request by saying something is difficult, they are simply translating the \u96e3\u3057\u3044 into what they consider an indirect and polite no in Japanese. Group III is such a grey area that even native Japanese could misinterpret the signal. Sometimes one wonders if this is done on purpose to avoid any kind of commitment or avoid breaching the harmony when multiple parties are involved in the decision-making process. Whether or not group four is more or less ambiguous than group three is also subject to interpretation. However, the primary difference is that group four expresses the potential for an affirmative response. Initially, the request is declined, however, the Japanese are expressing their uncertainty of the circumstances. <\/p>\n
For example, they could say chotto<\/a> that convey the \u201cdifficulty\u201d to answer the request.
A:\u300c\u660e\u65e5\u4e00\u7dd2\u306b\u98f2\u307f\u307e\u305b\u3093\u304b?\u300d
B: \u300c\u3054\u3081\u3093\u306a\u3055\u3044\u3001\u660e\u65e5\u306f\u3061\u3087\u3063\u3068\u7528\u4e8b\u304c\u3042\u3063\u3066\u30fb\u30fb\u30fb\u300d
A: Ashita, isshyo ni nomimasen ka?
B: Gomennasai, ashita ha chotto youji ga atte\u2026
A: Why don\u2019t we drink together tomorrow?
B: I am sorry, tomorrow I have some errands\u2026
Perhaps the best way to interpret no in Japanese is to understand the different levels. We have divided them into 4 groups, starting from definite expression to the grey area of the ambiguous no in Japanese.<\/p>\n
In a Business Context…<\/b><\/a>
Other ways of indirectly saying “No”<\/strong><\/a>
Showing Uncertainty to indirectly say “No”<\/strong><\/a>When around Friends & Colleagues<\/h2>\n
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\u3067\u304d\u306a\u3044 is less definite. The word shows the speaker\u2019s regret that the circumstances would not allow acting in accordance with one\u2019s request. Always keep in mind, these expressions are rarely if ever heard as a response to a request in business-related situations.<\/p>\nIn a Business Context<\/h2>\n
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\u305f\u3044\u3078\u3093, on the other hand, refers to a suggestion or request that is not easy because of a situation\u2019s complexity. What exactly is \u305f\u3044\u3078\u3093 is subjective and creates ambiguity amongst the parties involved in various business relations.<\/p>\nOther Ways to Indirectly Say \u201cNo\u201d in Japanese<\/h2>\n
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The greyest of all amongst group three is the Japanese expression \u3051\u3063\u3053\u3046\u3067\u3059. The expression can have distinctly opposite meanings such as \u201cok\u201d and \u201cno thank you\u201d, showing that something is not wanted or needed.
\u3073\u307f\u3087\u3046 expresses a borderline scenario where neither party can express certainty as to which scenario will play out. Clearly, uncertainty is expressed in this word. More often than not, the ultimate decision declines one\u2019s request.
Which brings us to \u3044\u305d\u304c\u3057\u3044, which is typically used as an excuse to decline a request. Therefore, one does not need to reply by asking when the person may have more free time to perhaps affirmatively acknowledge the request.<\/p>\nShowing Uncertainty to Indirectly Say \u201cNo\u201d<\/h2>\n
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Those circumstances could change at an unforeseen time in the future. The expression, \u201c\u308a\u3093\u304d\u304a\u3046\u3078\u3093\u306b\u305f\u3044\u304a\u3046\u3059\u308b\u201d is similar to the English expression: let\u2019s play it by ear. This expression is often used to postpone difficult decisions at business meetings when the voting is not unanimous.
As you can see, no in Japanese is a tricky point: ambiguous and subject to lots of interpretation.<\/p>\n
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